EVANS STARS IN THRILLING WIN
AMMANFORD sealed their place in next season’s South Wales Premier Cricket League with a thrilling onewicket victory over Bridgend at the Park.
Bridgend won the toss and batted first, losing three quick wickets to the excellent bowling of Matthew Davies (2-20) and Dan Roberts (1-30).
However, captain Tom Baker joined opener Sam Wood at the crease and the two provided Bridgend’s main partnership of 81.
The hard track and fast outfield promised a big score, but Ammanford’s bowlers stuck to their task and dismissed the visitors for 199 in their penultimate over.
Xavier Clarke bowled well for his 2-31 and Owen Davies cleaned up at the end with 3-61.
Ammanford got off to a poor start, losing regular wickets until Rhyshuw Davies joined opener Kurtis Marsh to provide a half-century partnership.
However, the departure of Marsh for 42 signalled a collapse as three wickets fell for the addition of a single run, and Ammanford were beginning to stare down the barrel of a disappointing defeat.
Enter skipper Alun Evans, coming in at nine. He and Davies added a quick 21 before Davies departed for an invaluable 33.
Ammanford were now eight wickets down and still 68 short of their target. Their two last batsmen faced the daunting task of staying in with their skipper while he tried to knock off the runs.
Which, to their credit, is exactly what they did.
Owen Davies (18) added 33 with Evans and last man Matthew Davies (nine not out) stuck in until the winning runs were scored.
Evans finished a true captain’s innings unbeaten on 49.
Ammanford are now safe in seventh place, 60 points clear of bottom club Clydach, who they welcome to the Park on Saturday.
Ammanford travel to Port Talbot tonight (Wednesday) in the semi-final of the SWCA T20 Cup (5.45pm).
Newport’s hopes of silverware were dealt a serious blow as Pontarddulais shocked another title hopeful.
A week after Bont stunned Swansea, here they defeated third-placed Newport by six wickets.
Newport made 246-6 in their 50 overs, with opener Harry Friend making 83 and Michael Clayden – who was batting down the order on this occasion – smashing 75 off just 58 balls.
Bont opener Mathew Fisher then hit 97 and skipper Cameron Herring added 47 as the visitors claimed victory in the 46th over.
Carmarthen Wanderers kept hold of third place in Premier League 2 thanks to a convincing 162-run victory over Ynysygerwn.
Put in to bat, somewhat surprisingly on a hot afternoon, the Wanderers amassed 262 for the loss of eight wickets in their 50 overs, with Robbie Crawford making 71 not out, striking eight boundaries along the way.
Skipper Gareth Thomas added 63 and they were helped by 44 extras. Nathan Davies took 3-47.
In response Ynysygerwn lost early wickets as their run chase never got out of first gear.
Owain Binding recorded the excellent figures of 5-22 in his 10 overs, while Ryan Sylvester top-scored with 29 for the Neath Valley side.
The Wanderers entertain league leaders Ynystawe on Saturday at Trinity Fields.
Out-of-sorts Llanelli dropped to the bottom of the table after they lost by eight wickets at Chepstow.
Lewys Jones took 5-18 and Jason Dobbie chipped in with 3-22 as Llanelli were dismissed for 102 having decided to bat first. Steve Devonald (15) was the top scorer for the Stradey Park men.
Chepstow wasted no time as they reached their target in the 17th over, with opener Gareth Ansell scoring a rapid 58 not out.
Ynystawe remain at the top of the table after a 95-run win at home to Gorseinon.
Opener Tom Blake hammered a superb 116 for Ynystawe, a knock that included three sixes and 17 boundaries.
Morgan Hodges added 55 as the hosts raced to 337-7.
Matthew Roberts took 3-56 for Gorseinon.
Christopher Morgan then hammered a whirlwind 96 for Gorseinon – it included six sixes and 10 fours – but his side were all out for 242.